The ripple effect.
Something that always astounds me is the impact that even the smallest decisions have on the rest of our lives.
One little choice can change the entire course of your life.
Choices about things like friends, jobs, hobbies, classes, what to eat, where to go on a Saturday.
Every decision alters your path a little bit. Some more than others, but they all make a difference.
Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if I never would have applied for that job at Hastings when I was 20. I remember sitting in the parking lot about to turn in my application and just feeling so nervous that I was inches from driving away. That silly minimum-wage job was just a fun place to work and get discounts on CD’s and books.
But it is also where I met Kelly D.
There are a thousand ‘what if’s’ tied to every choice we make. Every single day. Even the choice I am making right now to sit here and ramble on this blog.
There are people in my life that I would never have known without this blog.
Once, I decided to invite a new girl (lady? woman? I always struggle with this…) I met at church over for lunch, something I never do, and now I don’t know what I’d do without her.
About 14 years ago, I had a brand new, shiny credit card and impulsively ordered a medium format camera and started shooting portraits for people I knew. Now that business is what puts food on our table.
See what I mean?
I was thinking about this yesterday, because 15 years ago, I was in Las Vegas on a little road trip with this really cute guy and on a whim, we decided that, Hey we’re in Vegas, baby! Let’s get hitched!
So we did.
And the rest is history.
9 comments
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY !!!!!!!!!!
Well crap! I am trying to make a big career decision (aka, trying to FIND a career) right now and am convincing myself that, regardless, things will turn out how I want them to.
. . . You are making me second guess myself. . . Why must choices be SO HARD!? . . . and so full of consequence?
I like ripples and what-ifs. I’m glad you turned in that application at Hastings, bought that camera, got hitched on a whim in Vegas, had those three adorable boys and moved into our neck of the woods. You and Kelly seem so right for each other. You have been blessed with much because of lots of little (and some big) decisions. Hope you have many more years filled with fun surprises and ripples as you continue your lives together.
SERIOUSLY?!? You guys got married in Vegas?? Holy cow! The whole time I was reading about I could see the LDS version of P&P going through my mind. ;^)
I completely agree with those decisions. My husband came because I decided to take math at 8am instead of 9am.
so do you think our decisions are really part of the ripple or part of the big picture plan. I’d like to think that agency does have a chance, but I also find that even when I have NO IDEA what’s next in life, a Heavenly Father has it already in hand. Even in my short comings life has a way of working itself out. I still love the Vegas story… always and forever will.
I think about this all the time. When I was playing at recess in 5th grade I thought, “If I turn around in a circle a bunch of times, will I change my future?” So I did. I’ve always wondered if things would have been the same, or if I really altered my future from that one moment?
I totally just watched “The Butterfly Effect” for the first time ever last night…crazy!
That girl you invited to lunch that day doesn’t know what she would to with out you either. She is a better person for meeting you and you being her friend. Thanks and hats off to you for the person you are.
I love the story behind the Vegas wedding, I don’t think you put in all those details when you were telling me on our walk! I love it. And I love the pictures. Priceless.
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